What to plan for if you're thinking the Al-Can Hwy in a TC?

I was very confused when I came on this forum and first heard the term 'Alcan'. For a year or so I assumed that it was named after Alcan, the shortened name of the 'Aluminum Company of Canada'. They have a large smelter in Kitimat, where my wife grew up and I naturally assumed that Alcan had something to do with the construction of the highway. As a matter of interest I had heard of Alcan before I arrived in Canada as we had an Alcan factory near where I lived in Wales. Of course, there ALCAN stood for Aluminium Company of Canada!
As for the name 'Americans', I always thought it a little unfair that the US claimed the name of the entire continent for their own. I suggest that we use the LAST name of the person, from whom we got the name of the entire continent, Amerigo Vespucci.
So we are ALL Americans, Canadians, Mexicans and Vespuccians! See how easily rolls off the tongue! :B

Doug, many/most people refer to themselves as Americans, because it is part of our country name. The United States of America. Just like my friends from Mexico refer to themselves as Mexicans due to using an abbreviated version of their country name, Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or States United of Mexico or in English order of words, it is the United States of Mexico.

Canada is a very old name, but it has officially been known by other names as well. John A Macdonald, later the first Prime Minister, wanted to name it the Kingdom of Canada and referred to it as such, in some of his writings. Then it was called, later, the Dominion of Canada, by some, and a number of other names, as the different provinces jointed together in a confederation of sorts.

So we and our northern and southern neighbors refer to ourselves by a shorter name in most cases. Our name is not directly related to being in North America, which you are correct about. But it is like the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, but I have have never hear anyone from that state use the entire official name. They just say they are from Rhode Island. The Smallest state with the longest name.

Now when I am in Mexico with friends in Cuernavaca, they refer to where I am from as Estados Unidos or Oltra Lada (the other side) or just plain Gringo. LOL I did have a T shirt that said, when translated into English, I am not a gringo, I am a German. LOL they are much better liked by many in Mexico.

So there are many people that can call themselves North Americans, (Norte Americanos) not all can can use the shorter term of American for their country. May be some, I don't know what all the official names of all the countries of North America are in that country.

So depending on which side of the Rio Bravo del Norte, (the river we call the Rio Grande)I am on, is the deciding factor when someone asks me where I am from. So with the eleven (11) (counting Florida as one) Canadian Provinces and three Territories, most refer to themselves as Canadian, but not all the First Nation people do, from my personal experience. Just like in the US, some will first tell you they are Cherokee or some other tribe, then Americans. Same in Mexico, I once had a tour guide in the Yucatan area, when I spoke to him in Spanish, told me, he spoke English or Mayan, and asked which I preferred. Said he could speak Spanish but it left a bad taste in his mouth. LOL

We all have our issues, it seems.

Sue, you can have fun with the names of things.

There is a country which is officially called The United States of America. The citizens of that country often call themselves Americans, though their country is not called America. They dpn't call themselves United Statians.

Well, Canada is also in America. North America. The same blob of land as the United States. So is Mexico & a whole bunch of other countrys.

Arguably all of the citizens of all of the countries of both north & south America can call themselves Americans too.

Now THAT should stir the pot.

Please, it is the Alaska Highway!

Alcan seems to be the term used by Americans, possibly because the military called the project that in 1942. After WWII, the US turned the route over to Canada. The highway was officially titled the Alaska Highway. It has been called that for more than six decades.

I was born and raised in Yukon along the ALASKA HIGHWAY, at mile 1202. So I take it kind of personal because the highway is sort of like my hometown.

Okay, rant over. :B

There really is no way to drive to interior Alaska, without taking the Alaska Hwy, part of the way. The Cassiar runs from Kitwanga Junction in central BC to Junction 37, 13 miles out of Watson Lake, YT. A driver can take the Alaska Hwy from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction but which ever road you take north or south, from Alaska, to Junction 37 you will be on the Alaska Hwy, even if you turn south on the Cassiar Hwy, (Hwy 37) which actually runs past Kitwanga to Kitimat BC. Or if you turn south at Haines Junction and drive to Haines Alaksa to catch the ferry, you will still be on the Alaska Hwy from HJ to Delta Junction.

We are almost home from spending 3 months in Ak. In drove the Alcan on the way up. and the Cassiar on the way back. IMHO there is no reason to take the Alcan unless you just want to say you did it. I think the Cassiar is much nicer road and prettier, how ever if I do it again I will take the ferry from Bellingham to Haines and then The Cassiar back! With a TC the cost wouldn't be that much more than fuel in BC and Yukon and you could make it in about half the time and wouldn't have to hassle with the road. I'll probably catch flak for that but that's just my opinion. Fuel is not much different in Ak and Wa. I think the cheapest diesel I found was $135.9 per liter. Most is ~ $147.9.You can do the conversion.

There are many pullouts in Ak and you can overnite in any as long as it's not posted. Few are. But in BC and YT most are.They want you to spend your $ in the campgrounds.Food is a little expensive in Ak. but eating out is very expensive. Same for Canada. They say eating out is expensive because every thing is shipped in. But food in the grocery store is shipped in also and it's not near as bad as eating out.

Roads in Ak are not any worse than the lower 48. In a lot of cases better unless you start going off-roading. This is a great trip, do it and have fun!!!

I would go in Aug & Sept. or Oct, to miss the mosquitos and see the fall colors.

We drove from Vancouver Island to Alaska numerous times in various RVs over many years. See the link in my signature for thousands of images from those trips. You'll also get an idea of timing and camping possibilities - we prefer to NOT stay in RV parks.

We now live here. Just finished a quick trip to my home town of Beaver Creek (historical mile 1202 on the Alaska Highway) with the fifth wheel. Beautiful fall colours this time of year!

Turbo Diesel Dude wrote:
You're NOT going to a third world country. Plan for normal wear/tear and extra gas stops.

Sheeesh! How do you break this huge myth that the Alaska Highway is some monsterous beat up road that swallows up any vehicle that dares to travel on it?

Try driving the potholed interstates if you really want to beat up your vehicle.

we just spent the summer in Alaska in a truck camper. there are plenty of places to fuel up. No need to add capacity, just try to stay above a half tank. In a TC you can pull off and sleep wherever you want, usually with beautiful scenery all around you.
No Sat phone. just deal with going without cell service once in a while.
If you DO have an issue, there are lots of other travelers on the road.

as someone said "you're not in a 3rd world country"

For new Alaskan travelers it would be your worthwhile to go to the very top of this forum. You'll see a "Sticky" for Helpful Hints. It has lots of good information to prepare for your trip.

As to the direct question: install new tires on your vehicle if they're about due. You're correct in taking extra fluids, belts, air compressor. Other than that, just travel the way you would on secondary roads in the lower 48. It's no different. It's an easy trip nowdays. Drive slow and you won't get any damage. You'll find out what frost heaves look like from a distance after you go over the first one! :) They're easy to spot.

There are plenty of gorgeous spots to spend a night just off the highway. Many folks do so. There are RV parks around every town but they won't look like the kind in the lower 48. For the most part they are just gravel parking lots. We much preferred the roadside stops and the public parks, especially in Canada and the Yukon.

The roads aren't deserted and you'll have many folks traveling the same route as you. In fact, you'll probably see the same faces over and over again.

The only reservations we made were the July 4 weekend (Alaskans like to camp, too) and our stay inside Denali Nat'l Park. For those we made them as we were traveling and could better judge when we'd be at a certain place.

Just take your time and enjoy the trip. It's fantastic!